Annual IFBB Pro League Meeting Minutes
IFBBpro.com has posted the minutes from the Annual Meeting of the IFBB Professional League. The meeting took place during last month’s Olympia weekend in Las Vegas Nevada. There are a few changes that the IFBB women should be aware of. This only applies to the IFBB pros and not the amatuer competitors in the NPC. Next month the national NPC meeting will take place in Atlanta. If any changes are made they will be decided there. Below are some items of note and my comments below them. Keep in mind these are only my comments and not that of any one else.
ADOPTED:
• Be it resolved that the competition entry deadline be reduced to 4 weeks [instead of 6 weeks]; that deadlines may be extended by the IFBB Pro League as warranted.
Amendment:
The deadline will be reduced to three (3) weeks, with a late fee of US $200. This deadline may be reviewed by the promoter, at his or her discretion, up to a week before the event. No entry will be allowed after the Monday of the week of the event.
This prevents competitors from entering at the last minute for shows. I don’t see this as a bad thing and from a promoter’s stand point, I’d like to see who is in the show as early as possible. That allows me the luxury of putting competitors on the marketing materials and getting tickets sold.
• Effective 2009, the Promoter of the Olympia competitions will pay for the top 6 finalists from the Figure Olympia, the top 6 finalists from the Figure International, the top 3 finalists from the New York Pro Figure, and the winner* of all other Figure competitions.
*If the winner is already qualified, the Promoter will pay for 2nd place. If 2nd place is already qualified, the Promoter will pay for 3rd place.
This does not affect the number of athletes who qualify for the Figure Olympia pursuant to IFBB Pro Rules 4.4 – 4.5.
This kinda sucks for those who place out of the winner’s circle. I’m assuming this was done in an effort to keep the costs down for the Olympia. My question would be why do this for the women’s competitions and not the men? I’ll venture to guess it’s because there are more figure shows than there are bodybuilding which ultimately leads to added costs. I’ll try to get a confirmed answer related to this.
REJECTED:
• Be it resolved that, for the Ms. International, invitations are to be received by November 1st of each year and, in any case, no later than 12 weeks prior to the event.
I would like to see more notice given to the competitors who do receive invites. I know those who submit their application to be invited feel the same way. Many of the competitors have to start their prep before knowing if they are in the contest or not.
• Be it resolved that “some concession” [reduction] be made with respect to the sanction fee for women’s events so that promoters feel these events are financially viable.
I’m not sure reducing the sanctioning fee would add any more women’s show to the schedule. It certainly wouldn’t hurt from a promoter’s standpoint to have a reduction in expenses.
• Be it resolved that the Olympia Qualification rules be amended such that if any or all of the top finalists are already qualified, the number of competitors who will qualify shall always equal the number of designated qualifying spots. For example, if the top 3 are already qualified, then the next 3 competitors will qualify.
I agree with this rejected motion. The Olympia should include the best of the best and diluting the field takes away from the prestige of the show.
• Be it resolved that, once a Figure competitor is qualified for the Figure Olympia, she is ineligible to compete in any other Pro Figure competitions for the remainder of that competitive season.
Another rejected motion I agree with. Dumbest motion I read in all the minutes, it makes no sense to me and glad to see it rejected.
• Be it resolved that, in Pro Figure, the Olympia qualifications are limited to the top 6 from the Figure Olympia, top 3 from the Figure International and New York Pro, and winner from all other competitions.
Glad to see this get rejected as well. Would be ashame to see only the winner of many of the figure shows only get an invite.
• To discuss an increase of $25-$50 in the per diem for the Fitness/Figure International and Fitness/Figure Olympia.
Not sure what the competitors get now or if they receive the same per diem as the men. I’ll look into this further.
• To discuss changing the 5 mandatory movements during the 45-second routine. For example, a cartwheel, a one-arm hand stand, 4 alternating one-arm push ups, a plange hold, and a hold.
Not sure what this would accomplish but I’ll check in with Hendershott and see why this was brought up.
• To discuss a cut-off in the number of competitors allowed to compete in Pro Figure competitions.
Silly to even be brought up. Glad to see this rejected.
PROMOTER’S DISCRETION
• To discuss promoters holding the Prejudging and Finals of women’s event on the same day to reduce expenses.
This was not rejected but left up to the promoters to decide how the show is scheduled. It’s a step in the right direction. I’ve talked to a number of women who would like to see this happen at shows. The cost of hair, makeup, tanning and often added travel/lodging costs ends up being costly for two days. I’d encourage the promoters to look into this where feasible and make the event one day (prejudging and finals) for the women.
– Read the full set of minutes here.
